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This paper presents a profile of user behaviour in relation to the use of electronic information services (EIS), information skills, and the role of training and wider learning experiences in UK further education colleges. The research was conducted under the JISC User Behaviour Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. Work was conducted in two strands, by two project teams, JUSTEIS and JUBILEE. JUSTEIS profiled the use of EIS and assessed the availability of EIS. JUBILEE objectives focussed on understanding the barriers and enablers, with a view to developing success criteria. JUSTEIS used a multistage stratified sampling process, and collected data from 270 respondents from 17 departments in the baseline survey (2001/2002). JUBILEE conducted m-depth fieldwork in five institutions and snapshot fieldwork in 10 institutions, collecting data from 528 respondents. Information skills and experience develop across work, home and study. There is a growing use of EIS in curriculum, but practice varies between institutions and disciplines. Tutors express concern about student's ability to evaluate and use the information that they find. Assignments can promote EIS use. The main categories of EIS used by students are search engines and organisational web sites. Search engines are the preferred search tools and search strategies are basic. Information skills are acquired through a variety of routes, with peer instruction, surfing and personal experience, instruction from tutors, and LIS induction and training all making an important contribution. The solutions to improving students" information skills may include use of the Virtual Training Suites, but librarians need to adopt different roles in promoting and evaluating use of such tools.

Interviews Frank Hogg, retired president of the SchoolLibraries Association (SLA), on his twenty-five years of unstintingservice in Great Britain. Earliest memories of using libraries andthe role they play in his childhood; Idea on his first involvementwith school librarianship and the work of the SLA in particular;Major achievements during his terms as president of theorganization.

The User Behaviour Monitoring and Evaluation Framework has been established to investigate and profile the use of electronic information services (EIS) within higher education in the UK. Electronic information services are defined as: collections of information tools/products delivered to requesting users electronically, and usually computer mediated. This encompasses media of all types. This article discusses aspects of the methodology of the Framework, and preliminary findings from the first annual cycle of the Framework. Findings are based on interactions with 1500 users, including academic staff, library and information services staff, and students. Executed through three strands, the framework methodology uses an array of quantitative and qualitative approaches to lend a variety of insights into user behaviour with electronic information services, factors that encourage the use of electronic information services, and those that act as barriers to the effective integration of electronic information services into the learning experience.

Reports on the first comprehensive national study, funded by the Arts Council of England and the University of Wales Aberystwyth Research Fund, to investigate the provision of European modern language books for children in UK public libraries. The aims were: to investigate the nature of European modern language book and non book publishing for children; to examine the relationship between the publishing of European language and translated materials; to explore the supply of these materials by bookshops and library suppliers and to examine library collections; and to produce an evaluative bibliographic listing of materials currently available for use by teachers. The survey had the effect of creating a greater awareness among young people's librarians about the issues surrounding foreign language materials and their place in children's collections. Results show clearly that a low priority is given to these materials by local authorities and this is reflected in the size, nature and accessibility of their library holdings and frag mentary nature of their services. Whilst many local authorities expressed the opinion that there was little demand for this material, that perception was seen to be conditional. The UK's partnership within the European Union was not seen to be a highly prioritized motive for the provision of European modern language library materials.

This article is based upon the results of a survey which examined the nature of computer collections and services offered by the young people's and schools' library ser vices of British public libraries. An overview of service incidence, col lection accessibility and depth of provision is followed by an analy sis of formats and content. Collection management is explored, focussing upon the formulation of policies, bibliographical aids to selection, and the supply and pro motion of computer materials. The article concludes with a review of trends in service development.

This comprises the interim report of the first major study of children's public library services to be undertaken in the UK. Funded by the British Library Research and Innovation Centre from 1996–1998, it will assess the significance of the role of the public library in supporting the reading development of children and young people and produce service criteria and performance indicators to inform future directions and policy decisions. The methods are an extensive literature review, national questionnaire survey and case studies to examine good practice. Findings will be made available in the final report.

This article deals with the 2005 School Library Association's (SLA) Weekend Conference which took place in June at the University of Surrey in Guildford, England. It was sponsored by Random House Children's Books, Softlink Europe and Walker Books. The conference's theme was information literacy. The conference also offered a resources exhibition opened by SLA President Aidan Chambers. The conference speakers and contributors were as follows: Ross Todd, David Streatfield and Sharon Markless.

Focuses on the School Library Association Weekend Course held at the University of Leicester in England. Theme of the event; Guest speakers; Activities and topics discussed.

Relates the author's thoughts about the Winter 2004 issue of the journal "The School Librarian." Topic regarding the multifarious role of weblogs; Role of electronic communication in the academic literature on school libraries; Contributions on the theme of global librarianship.